Folding leg structure for tables



June 1953 H. w. HINSKEN ET AL FOLDING LEG STRUCTURE FOR TABLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 26 1951 June 16, 1953 H..W. HINSKEN ET L, v

FOLDING LEG STRUCTURE FOR TABLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 26, 1951 d V ((IjNVENTORS amzdgugm AWOIP Vfyfl Patented June 16, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT-HOFFICE,-

' roLorne 14EascinuoruRE FOR TABLES I H'oWar'd'W. Hinsk'en and Herbert H. Giesler,

Buffalo, N. Y.

.n pucauon'necember'ze, 19'5 1,-ser-ia1no. 263,162 '3 Claims. (01. "311- 84) This invention relates to a folding leg structurefor the rectangular in plan 'top frame of a table the parts of which table are capable of being folded together into the form of a box for convenient carrying or storage as acompact structure' and is more particularly illustrated. for use in conjunction with supporting a sewing machine and hence in providing a sewing machine table.

One ofjthe principal objects of the present invention is to provide such a folding leg structure for 'atable which table and leg structure are very attractive in appearance both when unfolded for use as a table and also when folded into the form of a compact carrying'case orwhen placed tc-one side when not in usei." 1 T g Another object of the invention is to provide such a folding leg structure for a table which table and leg structure are of large size when unfolded but which folds into the form of a very compact structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a folding leg structure for a table which table and leg structure are stable and rigid when unfolded so as to serve adequately to function as a sewing table. I v

Another object of the invention is to provide such a folding leg structure for a table which table and leg structure are light-inweight and vention showing the same collapsed intothe formof a compactcarryingcase or for storage or. setting to one side, the table being shown with its top panel underneath.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the table set up as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar vertical longitudinal section of the table folded into the :form ofa compact carrying case as illustrated inFig. 2 but with the top panel'on top. I d

Fig. 5 is a vertical transversev enlarged'sectional view taken generally on line 55, Fig; 4." Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional viewtaken generally on line 66, Fig. 4. v I

The table having a folding leg structure embodying the present invention is shown as comprising a horizontal sliding top panel I0 10f reclevel of th top panel 4 B.

tangular form in plan and being longer in one direction than the -other.- This top panel I'll is shown as provided along one transverse edge with; a-large rectangular-cutoutor recess II, this being for the. purpose of mounting a sewing machine (not shown) With-its base'disposed 'belowthe, r I The top panel 1-0 of. the table is slidablysupported in;--a rectangular frame indicated generally-at I2. This frame isshown as comprising a pair of wooden longitudinal side bars l3 arranged with their upper'edges coplanar with the top-surface of the top-panel [0 of the table and with their opposed sides in=sliding engagement with the longitudinal edges of thetop panel ,l-ll. I

Thesejlongitudinal bars of the frame l2 are connected at ftheir ends by ,wooden cross bars M. l5. [The crofs's'barflis at "the unindented end of the-tabletop .ITO and its upper 'edgeis disposed in contact with or in closely spaced relation to the under faceof the top panel l0, as best shown in lfig. 3; .At its opposite ends'thiscros's bar is notched, as indicated at 1B,..Fig. .5, at its two upper'corne'rs. These notches I6 generally 'aline with horizontal grooves l8 provided in the longi-. tudinal side bar's l3 immediately below and with their upper edgesin line with the lower. face of the top panel ID. A pair of lugs or slidesZB ride in the groove l8 ateach side of the table. These lugs are shown as each being in the form of rec-. tangular straps of metal each secured to the underside o'rjthe top panel from thelon'gitudin'al edge of the table into the corresponding groove 18. These lugs are also preferably located on opposite sides of the cutout.

I I in the top panel of the table.

I The opposite cross bar l5 ofthe frame l2 connect's the corresponding ends 'o'fthe longitudinal" ovided along its upper edge with an elevated portion'2 l whichfits into the tensio'n'sto the toppanel lfl provided by its cut-, out-I The mp.name,-im-[structcre forj the 'taib' completed by a holder for the sewing mac in" g e and which is indicated generally at 25. 'This: holder comprisessa cross bar 2.6 connecting the 13 and arrangedfimmedi e t r of h S e Pa s. atelybelow and preferablyin slidinjg contact with h i Pa e '9 ofihe a e ndi lsg :e an edta, al 'ne with theinner. endof the cutout I] "of this i top panel, as best shown in Figs. '1. 3 and' i. Two

to project outwardly 1 longitudinal bars 28 are arranged on opposite sides of the cutout I I of the top panel In and each is connected at one end with the cross bar 25 and'at its opposite end with the cross bar I5 of the top of the table frame. These longitudinal bars 28 preferably have their upper edges arranged flush with the other bars I3, I4, Hand so as to provide sliding support for the top panel I0. The. =bottom of the rectangular-depression formed below the cutout II by the four top frame bars I5, 26 and 28 is enclosed by cross straps 29. These cross straps are preferably made of 4 metal and have upturned ends 30, each provided with a vertical series of holes 3|. A wine bolt"" 32 extends through any one of, these holes 3| of g each cross strap 29 and through a hole in the corresponding frame bar 28. It will be seen that by the selection of the proper holes 3I'of the cross straps 23, these cross straps can be secured at different elevations with reference to the top panel ID to suit different sizes of sewing machines.

One end of the'top frame of the table is supported by a leg structure indicated generally at 33. This leg structure comprises a vertical panel 34 of the same length as the cross bar I4 of thetop frame and arranged with its upper'edg'e in alinement with the'lower edge of this cross bar I4 as best shown in Fig. 3. A pair of hinges 3 5 connect the panel 34 with the cross bar .I4, the leaves of these hinges being'secured to the inner faces of the panel 34 and cross bar I4, respectively, so

that the panel 34 swings inwardly and into mating relation with the adjacent ends of the longitudinal frame bars I3. A leg 36 is secured to. each end of the swinging panel 34, these legs being spaced inwardly from the ends of this panel so as to nest within the'longitudinal top frame bars I3 when the panel 34 is so swung upwardly into mating relation with these longitudinal side frame bars I3. The lower ends of the legs 36'are connected by a cross bar 38. I

The opposite end, of the top frame of the table 3 is supported by a large rectangular vertical panel,

39. This panel is arranged below and in vertical alinement with the cross bar I5 of the'table top and is connected to this cross bar I'5 by a pair These hinges are arranged with.

of hinges 40. their leaves secured to the inner faces of the panel 39 and cross bar I5, respectively, so .thatthe panel 39 is capable of being swung upwardly into mating relation with the longitudinal top frame bars I 3. The width of the panel 39 is preferably equal to the length of the panel 34 and these dimensions are preferably bothequal to.

the over-all width of the top frame I 2 of the table when these panels are so swung into mating relation with the longitudinal side bars I3. The

joint height of the panels 34and 39 is preferably equal to the spacing of the pintles of the hingesand, 40 so that when these two panels are raised into mating relation with the side bars I3 their lower ends come into mating relation with vertical arm of which is attached to the inner face of the swinging'panel 3-9 of the table. The

table also includes a diagonal brace 45. The

4 upper end of this diagonal brace is hinged, as indicated at 46, to the central part of the inner face of the cross bar I4 of the top frame. To the lower end of this diagonal brace is secured an angle bracket 48 the lower end of which projects longitudinally from the diagonal brace and. in the erected condition of the table, is arranged to lie on top of the foot bar 4|. This angle brace is removably secured to this foot bar 4|, as by a wing bolt 49.

Assuming the table to be in the set up position as above described, it will be seen that the rectangular cutout II of the top panel I0 permits a sewing machine (not shown) to be placed upon the cross straps 29 arranged below this cutout.

It will further be seen that the elevation of these supporting straps 29 to suit the height of the base of the particular sewing machine being used can 1 be adjusted by removing the wing bolts 32 and cutouts I6 in the. end cross bar I4 the top panel.

I8, together with these lugs 20, can be completely removed from the top frame structure I2. When in the operative position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 the top panel I0 has full support from all of the cross bars I4, I5 and 26 as well as the inner longitudinal frame bars 28.

When it is desired to collapse the table for the purpose of transporting it or storing it as a compact structure, the table, with its top panel III' arranged as shown in all of the figures is turned on its side to permit the parts of the leg structure to be freely manipulated. The wing bolt 49 is first removed and the diagonal brace 45 is swung 3 toward the top panel I0 of the table into the top frame I2 as best shown in Fig. 4. The wing bolts 42-and 43 at the ends of the foot bar 4| are then removed and this foot bar is placed within the top frame I2 alongside the diagonal bar 45 as best shown in Figs. 4 and 6.

frame I2. Lastly, the swinging panel 39 is swung inwardly toward the top panel I0 until it engages the longitudinal side bars I3 thereof and is brought into mating relation with this swinging panel 34 connecting the upper end of the legs 36.

In this position it will be seen that the table is in the form of a very compact rectangular boxlike structure which can be conveniently transported and stored and which also is attractive in appearance so that it does not have to be put out of sight.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a very sturdyfolding 'leg structure for a table which leg structure can be conveniently folded into a very compact structure for storage or transportation. It will further be seen that the table and its folding leg structure are low in cost and that in both its set up and folded condition the table is attractive in appearance.

We claim:

1. A folding leg structure for the rectangular in plan top frame of a table, comprising an end panel of substantially the same length as the It will i The legs 36 are then swung toward the top panel I0 and into the top .5 width of said top frame, and forming, in the set up condition of said table, a downward continuation of one end of said top frame, hinge means connecting said end panel with said one end of said top frameand permitting said end panel to be swung toward the other end of said top frame toa horizontal position under said one end of said top frame, at least one leg; pro-.

jecting downwardly from'said end panel in the set up condition of the table and secured to the combined height, when erect, of said first panel and leg, and a horizontal foot bar removably inner face of said end panel so as to bereceived in said top frame when said end panel is swung to said horizontal position, a second end panel of substantailly the same length as said first end panel and forming in the set up conditionof the table a downward continuation of said other end of said top frame, and hinge means connectend of saidtop frame and permitting said endconnected to'the lower ends of said leg and second end panel.

3. A folding leg structure for the rectangular in plan top frame of a table, comprising an end panel of substantially the same length as the width of said top frame, and forming, in the set up' condition of said table, a downward continuation of one end of said top frame, hinge means connecting said end panel with said one panel to be swung toward the other end of said '7 top. frame to a horizontal position under said ing said secondend panel with said other end of 7 said top frame and permitting said second end panel to be swung toward said one end of said frame to a horizontal position under said top frame, the height of said second end'panel, when erect, being approximately equal to the combined height, when erect, of said first panel and leg and the combined height, when erect, of said first and second panels being approximately equal to the distance between the axes of their hinges whereby in said horizontal position said end panels have closely spaced meeting ends.

2. A folding leg structure for the rectangular in plan top frame of a table, comprising an end panel of substantially the same length as the width of said top frame, and forming, in the set up condition of said table, a downward continuation of one end of said top frame, hinge means one end of said top frame, at leastone leg projecting downwardly from said end panel in the set up condition of the table and secured to the inner face of said end panel so as to be received in said top frame when said end panel is swung to said horizontal position, a second end panel of substantiallythe same length as said first end panel and forming in the set up condition of the table a downward continuation of said other end of said top frame, hinge means connecting said second end panel with said other end of said top frame and permitting said second end panel to be swung toward said one end of said frame to a horizontal position under said top frameythe height of said'sec'ond end panel, when erect, being approximately equal to the combined height, when erect, of said first panel and leg, a horizontal foot bar removably'connected to the lower ends of said leg and second connecting said end panel with said one end of said top frame and permitting said end'pan'el to be swungtoward theother end of said top frame to a horizontal position under said one end of said top frame, at least one leg projecting downwardly from said end panel in the set up condition of the table and secured to the inner face of said endpanel so as to be received in said top frame when said end panel is swung to said horizontal position, a second end panel of substantially the same length as said first end panel and forming in the set up condition of the table a downward continuation of said other end of said top frame, hinge means 'connecting said second end panel with said other end of said top frame and permitting said second end panel to be swung toward said one end of said frame to a horizontal position under said top frame, the heightof said second end panel, when erect, being approximately equal to the bar;

end panel, a diagonal brace hinged to said top frame in position tohave its free end swing toward said foot bar, and means removably securing said free end of said brace to said foot HOWARD HINSKEN. HERBERT H. GIESLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

